Intel soups up 34nm SSDs

Intel has updated the firmware installed in its 34nm X25-M SSD line, claiming the new code helps deliver a sequential write speed boost of up to 40 per cent.

We'll be conducting tests on the new X25-M firmware in due course to see how accurate that claim is.

In the meantime, we can say the new software adds support for the Sata command Trim, which is an SSD-oriented option that helps the operating system write data to the drive in large chunks, allowing it to leverage Flash memory's high sequential write speeds rather than fall back on much slower random write speeds.

Intel said the new software will bring a performance increase to PC users running Windows XP and Vista. Windows 7 supports Trim natively, but Intel has separately released a utility called SSD Optimizer which adds Trim to the older operating systems.

SSD Optimizer and the new firmare - for 34nm X25-Ms only - is available respectively here and here. ®